Visionwest Community Trust

On Friday 5th April, the new street front premises for the VisionWest Op Shop were opened and, at the same time, the Curtain Bank was re-launched in time for winter. VisionWest Staff and volunteers were out in force to support the event and welcome MP for Waitakere, Paula Bennett; the executive team from Genesis Energy, sponsors of the Curtain Bank; and local businessmen, Pranil Ranchhod of Fresh Choice Supermarkets and Scott Inverarity of Waitakere Architects, who opened the new Op Shop. The weather stayed fine and it was great to see so many enjoying the wonderful morning tea held for the event at Fusion Caf?. The new shop has been a few years in the making and itfs an exciting step forward in serving our community in Glen Eden. It sells affordable second hand clothing, toys, and house hold items. The money from sales at the Op Shop goes directly to supporting the VisionWest Food Bank. The Food Bank distributed more than 2,300 food parcels last year and demand is still very high. Andrea Galecki, Community Services Manager for VisionWest Community Trust says, gThere is a greater demand for the Trustfs Food Bank services so we needed to establish a sustainable source of funding to support it into the future without having to rely on external funding. Promotion of the Op Shop is a way for us to do this.h The Curtain Bank has also been re-launched to provide free, recycled curtains for low-income and vulnerable households to make their homes warmer and healthier. Genesis Energyfs Chief Executive, Albert Brantley, said, gWe believe in doing our part to help those people in the community who struggle to make their homes energy efficient. VisionWest is a significant provider of social services in the West Auckland area and their ability to deliver this type of service was immediately clear.h The Op Shop, Food Bank, and Curtain Bank form part of VisionWest Community Trustfs Community Care Service, which is dedicated to providing support, resources and services to people in need within the community. The VisionWest Op Shopfs new opening hours will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9.30am to 3.00pm. All donations of clothes, shoes, furniture, and books etc. will be gratefully received.